What’s Next

Bob Quick

By Bob Quick

There’s always another radio station

I’m writing this shortly after another announced RIF in our industry. It’s disheartening. Each time it happens, we all think that this time will be the last time that we’ll see mass layoffs. Certainly stations can’t run with fewer people than they already do?

Then, another round of cuts and we’re proven wrong again.

Seven months ago, I wrote on this same topic.

Take heart. There are approximately 15,000 radio stations in the U.S. And that’s not counting the 11,000 or so non-commercial stations that are currently operating.

But stations owned by the companies who keep grabbling industry trade headlines with layoffs only account to a little over 2,000 of that total.

15,000 commercial + 11,000 non-commercial – 2,000 owned by shareholders = 24,000 independently owned radio stations in the U.S.

For argument’s sake, let’s say a third of those signals are translators.

It leaves us with 16,000 radio stations not owned by a publically traded corporation.

Look, I’m not taking those companies to task. They have to do what’s’ right for their business and who’s to say that everything is rosy for independent stations either. There may have been plenty of layoffs during COVID at those stations too, we just haven’t heard about it in the trades.

What I am saying is that there are plenty of places that need your on-air talent, commercial production expertise, and magnetic personality for remotes and appearances.

And…

If you are willing to expand your knowledge base and shift gears, you could also look into opportunities in traffic and continuity, engineering, programming, promotions, and yes…even sales. Plus, the emerging importance on website building and curating, podcasts, and other digital content creation continues to add to the jobs and skills necessary to be relevant in the media landscape.

My point is this, there are jobs out there. You just need to balance where you want to live and if you’d like to learn other facets to the business than what you already know. In my experience, many of the skills necessary in all the jobs listed above are transferrable to the next. The more you know about all areas of a radio station, the more valuable you are as an employee too.

And if you decide to leave this great industry, that’s ok too. You have marketable skills that can be used in other industries. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

So, whatever you decide, only you can determine your value and I think that’s priceless.

Bob Quick has performed just about every job in a radio station…on-air, programming, operations, sales, and management. Currently, he works with over 300 radio stations in his 29 state territory as Manager, Radio Partnerships at Motor Racing Network and helps numerous other small and medium market stations through his business Quick Radio Consulting.